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Student, 21, Tragically Dies Days After Dismissing Symptoms As ‘Fresher’s Flu’
Lucas Martin, 21, and his family thought it was just “a really bad virus” when he became unwell in September 2023.
Unfortunately, though, they eventually had to bid the young man farewell.
In an effort to increase awareness and stop future tragedies, his family is now talking about the signs he had.
A stark warning
A young family in the UK is mourning the untimely death of 21-year-old Lucas Martin, a recent graduate of the University of Liverpool, who passed away from meningitis a few days after exhibiting symptoms that his family believed to be normal “fresher’s flu.”
In addition to leaving loved ones devastated, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder to other teenagers and young people of how fast the condition can become lethal.
Early in September 2023, Lucas, who had just earned a degree in international business, started to feel tired, feverish, and ill.
After a year…With your assistance, Looky’s Aid has already accomplished some incredible feats in just one year. However, it
Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 by Looky’s Aid
“Looking back, the only thing that could have changed things would have been that knowledge of meningitis,” his brother Connor Martin told the BBC. “It felt like a really bad virus he had, but none of us thought it could be meningitis.”
Lucas did not exhibit any of the symptoms of meningitis, such as a rash or light sensitivity, which made it very impossible to identify the illness in its early stages.
How fast it went
His illness worsened over the next five days, until his father realized something was off on September 10.
“He was struggling to string a sentence together and mumbling,” Connor explained.
Tragically, Lucas never regained consciousness after the family hurried him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed and put in an induced coma. His family was distraught when he died on September 12.
When Connor thought back on his brother’s life and goals, he saw him as a motivated, affable young guy.
“We describe him as a force of nature,” he said. “He was very entrepreneurial… just a very driven, personable young man. He was taken too soon.”
Lucas was a source of happiness and hope for everyone he came into contact with, according to his family. Even in the face of hardship, he had a remarkable ability to encourage others.
A life-saving lesson
Following his passing, the family established Looky’s Aid, a foundation named after Lucas that provides financial aid and community initiatives to young people battling sickness.
Connor hopes his brother’s story will serve as a life-saving lesson for others. “If you’re worried, take action. Don’t just dismiss it as flu. We work hard not to blame ourselves — we just didn’t think of it,” he said.
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On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Looky’s Aid posted
“Freshers’ flu” isn’t actually the flu — it’s a term used to describe the mix of colds and other common illnesses that students often pick up when they first start university and mingle with large groups of people.
Lucas’ untimely passing serves as a devastating reminder of how swiftly things can change in life and how hazardous conditions like meningitis can pass for something far less harmful.
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